Grain cleaner with variable pitch and throw control



Oct. 13, 1959 A. P. STOCKERT 2,908,392

GRAIN CLEANER WI TH VARIABLE PITCH AND THROW CONTROL Filed July 24, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l V 74 I4 Fi 2 v I56 Alphonse P. Stacker! INVENTOR.

INVENTOR.

2,908,392 AND THROW CONTROL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Alphonse P. Stacker! and A. P. STOCKERT GRAIN CLEANER WITH VARIABLE PITCH Filed July 24, 1957 Oct. 13,1959

Patented Oct. 13, 1959 GRAIN CLEANER WITH VARIABLE PITCH AND THROW CONTROL Alphonse P. Stockert, Solen, N. Dak. Application July 24, 1957, Serial No. 673,906 3 Claims. (Cl. 209-318) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in grain cleaners, and more specifically to a grain cleaner which has means whereby the pitch and throw of a sieve or screen thereof may be controlled during the operation of the machine.

The function of a grain cleaner is threefold. First, it is desired to float out the roughest part of the undesirable material accompanying the grain through use of an upper screen. The grain and the lightest part of the undesirable material passes downwardly through the upper screen and the lightest part is removed by an air blast. Finally, the lower screen or sieve is used to shake through the remainder of the undesirable material while the good grain is retained thereon.

In the average grain cleaner there is provided an upper screen or sieve assembly, an intermediate blower assembly, and a lower screen or sieve assembly. Normally, the relationship of these three remains constant. However, the type and amount of undesirable material in the grain does not remain constant and, as a result, the average grain cleaner is only partially eflicient. During a grain cleaning operation, depending upon the type and amount of undesirable material, it is necessary to vary the effective throw of the sieve assemblies with respect to each other and also to vary the slope or pitch of the upper screen or sieve assembly to vary the rate of flow of the grain and undesirable matter thereover. In view of this, it is the primary object of this invention to provide an improved mounting for an upper screen or sieve assembly of a grain cleaner, the mounting being of such nature whereby, through a simple adjustment which may be accomplished by the operator of the grain cleaner during the operation thereof without stopping the grain cleaner, the throw and pitch of the upper sieve or screen assembly may be varied as desired.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved grain cleaner wherein the drive means is such that the throw of an upper screen assembly may be varied relative to the throw of the lower screen assembly whereby the desired relationship of movement between the two screen assemblies will be that desired for a maximum cleaning operation.

' Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved blower assembly for grain cleaners, the blower assembly including a stabilizer disposed at one end of a grain pan for effectively controlling the direction of flow of an air blast to produce a maximum cleaning operation. p

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved mounting for an upper screen or sieve assembly of a grain cleaner, the mounting including a-plurality of pivotally mounted hangers, there being hangers disposed at opposite ends of the screen assembly and one of the hangers being provided with an adjustable support whereby the pivot therefor may be moved asv desired to control the effective pitch and throw of the screen assembly.

, These, together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the grain cleaner which is the subject of this invention and shows'the general details thereof;

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the grain cleaner;

Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the grain cleaner taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3--3 of Figure 2 and shows the specific details of the internal construction thereof;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 4-4 of Figure 3 and shows the manner in which a plurality of individual screens are mounted in the upper sieve or screen assembly;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by the section line 5--5 of Figure 3 and shows the details of the lower screen assembly;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentaiy sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 6-6 of Figure 3 and shows the details of the drive for the blower assembly; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the upper screen assembly and shows the details of mounting of an adjustable contact block for a crank arm of the drive means for the grain cleaner.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated a grain cleaner, which is the subject of this invention, the grain cleaner being referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The grain cleaner 10 includes a supporting frame which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 12. The supporting frame 12 is generally rectangular in outline and includes a plurality of uprights 14 which are connected together adjacent their lower ends by horizontal frame members 16. Built into the upper part of the frame 12 and forming a connection between the upper parts of the supports 14 is a grain hopper 18.

The grain hopper 18 is formed primarily of a pair of side walls 20 which are connected together at their ends by transverse frame members 22 and 24, as is best shown in Figure 3. The side walls 20 are generally triangular in outline and have extending transversely therebetween bottom wall sections 26 and 28. The bottom wall section 26 floats at a relatively sharp angle and extends down below an adjacent portion of the bottom wall section 28. The bottom wall section 28 has a gentle slope as compared to the bottom wall section 26. Adjacent portions of the bottom wall sections 26 and 28 are spaced apart to provide therebetween a discharge opening 30 for the hopper 18.

Disposed below the hopper 18 for receiving grain therefrom through the discharge opening 30 is a first screen or sieve assembly which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 32. The screen assembly 32 includes an elongated rectangular frame 33 having an inclined bottom wall 35. The bottom wall 35 includes a stepped upper end'portion 34 andhas a grain discharge'opening 36 therein, the opening 36 being relatively large. As is best shown in Figure 4, the frame33 is provided with a plurality of inclined guides 38 inwhich there are slidably mounted desired screens 40, 42, 44 and 46. The upper or left-hand ends of the, screens 40, 42, 44 and 46 engage the stepped bottom portion 34 of the bottom wall 35 so as to be disposed in staggered relation. It is noted that the bottom wall 35 extends to the rightof the screen 46 for directing undesirable matter passing over the screen 46 to a point exteriorly of the grain cleaner 10.

In order to facilitate the mounting of the screen assembly 32, there is carried by the side walls 20 of the hopper 18, at the left-hand end thereof, a pair of hangers 48. The hangers 48 are pivotally connected to the side walls 20 by means of pivots 50. The hangers 48 are also pivotally connected to the frame 33 by means of pivots 52. a

The right-hand end of the screen assembly 32 is supported by elongated hangers 54. The hangers 4 are connected to the frame 33 by means of straps 56, there being a pivotal connection 58 between each hanger 54 and its respective strap 56. The upper end of each hanger 54 has a pivotal connection 60 with a crank type support 62. The crank type support 62 is carried by a transverse shaft 64 which is mounted for rotation on the frame 12 by means of clamp type straps 66. It is to be understood that the friction connection between the shaft 64 and the straps 66 is sutficient to retain the crank or lever-type support 62 in adjusted position.

The weight of the screen assembly 32 is counterbalanced by means of a spring 68 which has one end anchored to the outer surface of a side wall 20 as at 70, and whose opposite end is connected to a lever 72 secured to the shaft 64. As is best illustrated in Figure l, the shaft 64 also has secured thereto a lever 74. The lever 74 is used for the manual adjustment of the position of the lever-type support 62.

From the foregoing description of the mounting of the screen assembly 32, it will be seen that the slope or pitch of the screen assembly 32 may be varied as desired, depending upon the amount of material to be removed from the grain and depending upon the particular type of grain being cleaned. Further, this adjustment may be accomplished while the grain cleaner is operating so that the operator thereof may have a constant control over the cleaning operation. The adjustment of the screen assembly 32 will also result in a change in the throw thereof for reasons to be set forth in more detail hereinafter.

Mounted within the frame 33 to the left of the screen 40 is a bridge 76. The bridge 76 controls the flow of grain out of the hopper 18 down onto the screen 40. The bridge 76 has a shaft 78 which extends through the frame 33 and which is provided with a control handle .80. The control handle 80 is engaged with a ratchet type sector 82 to retain it in adjusted position. Thus, the rate of flow of grain onto the screen assembly 32 may also be controlled during the operation of the grain cleaner 10.

Carried by the uprights 14 of the frame 12 below the screen assembly 32 is a blower assembly which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 84. The blower assembly 84 includes a blower unit 86 which includes the usual blower housing 88 and an impeller assembly 90. The impeller assembly 90 is carried by a shaft 92 which is to be journaled in the standards 14. The shaft 92 is driven by means of 'a driven pulley 94 mounted on one end thereof. The driven pulley 94 is aligned with a drive pulley 96 carried by an armature shaft 98 of an electric motor 100 mounted on the top of the hopper 18. A drive belt 102 connects the pulleys 94 and 96.

Extending outwardly from the blower housing 88 is an elongated duct 104, as is best shown in Figure 3. The duct 104 has a narrow throat portion 106 at the right end thereof, an upper wall portion 108 of the, duct 104 also forming a grain pan for receiving grain passing through the screen assembly 32. The duct 104 terminates adjacent the throat in an upwardly extending flange 110 and a downwardly curved flange 112.

Spaced from the flange 110 and forming a continuation thereof is an air blast stabilizer 114. The stabilizer 114 terminates in a downwardly turned right-hand end 116 which is further used to control the volume and direction of flow of air. Mounted beneath the air blast stabilizer 114 in generally parallel relation, but converging slightly upwardly and to the right is a baffle 118. The bafile 118 terminates at its right-hand end in a downwardly directed flange 120. The bafiie 118 is adjustably mounted on a support 122. It is to be noted that the stabilizer 114 is spaced from the flange to provide a grain passage 124. The baffle 118 is similarly spaced from the flange 112 to form a grain passage 126 which is vertically aligned with the grain passage 124 so that grain passing from the screen assembly 32 may pass down through the openings 124 and 126. When the grain passes through the openings 124 and 126, it is aligned with the throat 106 and receives an air blast from the blower assembly 84 which removes the light undesirable material from the grain. Flow of air through the duct 104 is controlled by an adjustable baflie 128. The baffle 128 is mounted on a shaft 130 which extends through the sides of the duct 104. One end of the shaft 130 is provided with a control handle 132 which is engaged with a ratchet type sector 134 to retain it in an adjusted position.

At this time it is pointed out that the bottom wall 35 of the screen assembly 32 extends to the right beyond the stabilizer 114 so that air blast from the blower assembly 84 does not prevent the eflicient removal of the heavier undesirable material. Also, the material removed by the screen assembly 32 would not flow back down into the grain passing through the screen assembly 32.

Mounted beneath the blower assembly 84 for receiving grain passing through the opening 126 is a second or lower screen assembly which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 136. The screen assembly 136 includes a frame 138 and a bottom wall 140. The bottom wall 140 has an enlarged opening 142 therein for the passage of undesirable material. The frame 138, see Figure 6, is provided at opposite sides with a guide rail 144 for the removable reception of a screen 146. The screen 146 completely overlaps the opening 142, as is best shown in Figure 3. Further, the bottom wall 140 extends to the left of the screen 146 for directing cleaned grain to a desired receptacle (not shown).

The left-hand end of the screen assembly 136 is carried by a pair of hangers 148. The individual hangers 148 are pivotally connected to the blower housing 88 by means of pivots 150. They are also pivotally connected to the frame 138 by pivots 152. Incidentally, it is to be noted that the hangers 148 are provided with slots 154 to facilitate their removal from the pivots 150.

Pivotally carried by the duct 104 are intermediate portions of crank arms 156. The crank arms 156 are mounted on pivot pins 158 carried by the duct 104. The upper portion of each of the crank arms 156 has connected thereto by means of a pivot 160 a pitman arm 162. The pitman arm 162 includes an enlarged left-hand end 164 which is mounted on an eccentric 166 carried by the shaft 92. Thus, rocking movement is imparted to the crank arm 156 as the shaft 92 rotates.

Carried by the frame 138 is a connecting block 168 to which the lower end of the crank 156 is connected by means of a pivot 170. Thus, as the crank 156 rocks, the screen assembly 136 will be reciprocated. The screen assembly 32 is also reciprocated by engagement of the upper portion of the crank 156 with a contact block 172. The contact block 172 is adjustably mounted on the frame 33 in a manner to be described in more detail hereinafter.

The screen assembly'136 is urged to the right by means of springs 174 disposed on opposite sides thereof. The springs 174 are connectedto the frame 138 by means of pins 176 and to the adjacent 'ones of the standards 14 by means of adjustable eye bolts 178.

The screen assembly 32 is urged to the left to retain the contact block 172 in engagement with the crank 156 by means of springs1 80 disposed on opposite sides thereof. The springs 180 are secured to the frame 33 by means of connectors 182 and to the left-hand standards 14 by means of adjustable eye bolts 184.

Referring now to Figure 7 in particular, it will be seen that the contact block 172 is carried by a strap 186 which is pivotally mounted on the frame 33 by means of a central pivot pin 188. The strap 186 is provided adjacent opposite ends thereof with bores 190 and 192 which are spaced at slightly different distances from the pivot pin 188. As is shown, the contact block .172 includes a pin 194 which is disposed in the bore 190. A retaining pin 196 passes through the bore 192 to lock the strap 186 to the [frame 33. When it is desired to change the effective stroke of the crank 156 relative to the screen as sembly 32, the strap 186 may be reversed by pivoting it about its pin 188 whereby to secure the block 172 in the bore 192.

Not only may the throw of the screen assembly 32 be controlled by varying the mounting of the contact block 172, but also when the position of the lever-type supports 62 is varied, the movement of the frame 33 will result in movement of the contact block 172 relative to the crank 156. As a result, this will change the throw of the screen assembly 32 an additional amount.

From the foregoing description of the present invention, it will be readily apparent that there has been devised a grain cleaner which is of such nature whereby the grain cleaning operation thereof may be constantly controlled by the operator of the grain cleaner to produce a maximum grain cleaning efficiency.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of'the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A grain cleaner comprising a supporting frame, an uppermost hopper mounted on said frame, a first sieve assembly, means mounting said first assembly on said frame beneath said hopper for receiving grain from said hopper, a blower assembly mounted beneath said first sieve assembly for directing an air blast through grain from said first sieve assembla lower second sieve assembly for receiving grain from said first sieve assembly, and drive means for said blower, said first sieve assembly and said second sieve assembly, said mounting means being in the form of pivotal hangers at opposite ends of said first sieve assembly, one of said hangers having a lever arm type support, means pivotally mounting said position of the upper end of said one hanger.

2. A grain cleaner comprising a supporting frame, an uppermost hopper mounted on said frame, a first sieve assembly, means mounting said first assembly on said frame beneath said hopper for receiving grain from said hopper, a blower assembly mounted beneath said first sieve assembly for directing an air blast through grain from said first sieve assembly, a lower second sieve assembly for receiving grain from said first sieve assembly, and drive means for said blower, said first sieve assembly and said second sieve assembly, said mounting means being in the form of pivotal hangers at opposite ends of said first sieve assembly, one of said hangers having a lever arm type support, means pivotally mounting said lever arm type of support on said frame for varying the position of the upper end of said one hanger, said lastmentioned means including a shaft and a frictional connection between said shaft and said frame.

3. A grain cleaner comprising a supporting frame, an uppermost hopper mounted on said frame, a first sieve assembly, means mounting said first assembly on said frame beneath said hopper for receiving grain from said hopper, a blower assembly mounted beneath said first sieve assembly for directing an air blast through grain from said first sieve assembly, a lower second sieve assembly for receiving grain from said first sieve assembly, and drive means for said blower, said first sieve assembly and said second sieve assembly, said drive means including a main shaft for said blower assembly, an eccentric on said main shaft, a pitman arm on said eccentric, a crank arm having an intermediate portion pivoted relative to said frame, an upper portion of said crank arm being drivingly connected to said upper sieve assembly, a lower end of said crank arm being connected to said second sieve assembly, an adjustable contact block on said upper sieve assembly engaging said crank arm whereby the relative throw between said sieve assemblies may be varied.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 112,447 Griswold Mar. 7, 1871 410,869 Bales Sept. 10, 1889 454,130 Gray June 16, 1891 454,131 Gray June 16, 1891 801,207 Benson Oct. 10, 1905 907,348 Hatfield et al Dec. 22, 1908 1,691,902 Penny Nov. 13, 1928 2,174,322 Hatfield Sept. 26, 1939 2,579,002 Johnson Dec. 18, 1951 

